Monday, August 13, 2007

Voipbuster offers free SMS from mobile phones

The Betamax company Voipbuster now offers free SMS from a mobile phone. I have just checked it out and it works great. You just have to install a small Java applet on your cell phone. Voipbuster routes the message as so called "UrlSms" over their servers. The SMS is free, besides of a little 3G data traffic. I have just sent two totally free SMS over Wifi from my Nokia E61. The messages arrive within minutes and seem to be a tiny bit slowlier than normal SMS.

1) How to install:
  • On your mobile go to http://gsm.voipbuster.com/ (on some mobiles you need to choose 'download application' on some phones you can just go to the webpage).

  • download and install the application, start the application (for most mobiles: in the menu, go to applications)

  • in "settings" fill in your VoipBuster username / password and your mobile phone number

2) How to send SMS:
  • start the application (for most mobiles: in the menu, go to applications)
  • go to options --> sms
  • you can select the person you want to send a sms from your mobile phone contacts through options --> add from contacts
  • type your message and hit SEND!
  • your mobile phone will ask you to open a data connection. This uses just a tiny bit of data traffic.
  • Voipbuster charges you nothing! Yes --> NOTHING!
Again I wonder how Betamax will refinance this service. But they already surprised me a few times with such offers. Normally they don't last too long and then become paid services at cheap prices. I guess it's just an introductory offer.
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2 comments:

  1. jackAugust 13, 2007 at 5:24 PM

    The SMS messages are listed as 5 eurocent apiece on the Voipbuster website. So this might just as well be a technical glitch that they can correct at any time.

    On the other hand, the messages are being sent from different telephone numbers registered in Russia. Perhaps they cut a deal with the government and/or phone operator and/or local mob? Previously (when the messages were 5c), they were sent with your own phone number, as configured in the desktop Windows client.

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  2. MarkusAugust 13, 2007 at 6:18 PM

    In my Voipbuster account the SMS appear as free:

    Recent Calls all calls
    Date Time Number called Duration Amount
    2007-08-13 12:28:17 UrlSms to +491XXXXXXXXXXX 00:00:00 FREE!
    2007-08-13 12:21:38 UrlSms to +491XXXXXXXXXXX 00:00:00 FREE!

    I suppose that only the SMS from the mobile Java client are free. The other feature, SMS for 5 Cent from the Voipbuster website, exists yet a few months.

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